The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-10-29
Matthew K. 32-42.]
CHRISTIAN FIDELITY.

When JESUS sent forth his chosen disciples
to be missionaries of the gospel of the king
dom, as described in the last Lesson, he fully
instructed them as to the nature and extent
of their mission and the manner of accom-.
plishing it, and warned them of the persecu
tions and dangers to which they would be Ii.
able. In this respect they were to be nc
more fortunate than their Master, who was
already being watched and harassed by the
ruling Pharisees; even his own family had
sought to put him under restraint as one who
was insane. He advised them to be wary,
and to avoid any just cause of accusation
against them, but to be faithful and fearless
in publicly proclaiming that he had taught
them in private, assuring them that GoD
them from the Divine judgment and destruc-
ton which threatened their nation, for re-
jecting its Messiah and his heavenly kingdom
(11-31).
Reasons for their fidelity are given, based
upon the principles of the Divine govern
ment and their administration in the reign
of the Messiah. whatsoever shall acknowl-
edge me before men will acknowledge in
the presence of my heavenly Father; but
whosoever shall renounce me before men, 1
will also renounce before my heavenly Fee
ther." Admission to the kingdom of COP
depended upon faithful allegiance to the
King. Those who publicly proclaimed their
faith in JESUS as the Messiah of Cop, and
maintained their faithfulness against all op-
position and danger, would be admitted to
privileges and blessings of the heavenly king
dom; while those who were unfaithful in
their apostlesbip and discipleship would be
denied the Divine blessings for which they
were disqualified by disposition and charac-
ter, and would suffer the fate of the rejected
not unlike in its meaning to that contained
in the Sermon on the Mount wi. 1929. A
consistent profession is demanded, one that
is manifested in the outward conduct of life.
The reference appears to be to the conduct
of the disciples when under persecution and
when brought before magistrates, governors,
and kings to give an account of their teach
ings and their faith. They were to boldly
and confidently trust in COP for protection.
and to give faithful and unhesitating adher-
ence to their Masters cause. The hoped for
Divine blessings would be forfeited by any
unfaithfulness through fear of danger or for
the sake of peace, even at the expense of
truth and duty. "Duty is required of men;
consequences are from GOD"
Christian history and tradition testify to
the pre- eminent fidelity of the Apostles. In
labors most abundant, suffering persecu-
tions, with imprisonment, scourgings and
death, they faithfully accomplished their
mission as the first missionaries of the
Church, by whom it was successfully planted
and trained for the spiritual conquest of the
world. The name of Judas alone is infa-
NOUS because of the betrayal, and even the
guilt of this dark deed may be mitigated by
the possible motive which may have been
formed by reason of a strong and impatient
faith in the Messianic character and Divine
power of his Master (see Study, August %,
1866. His sudden and overwhelming re-
morse is creditable to his heart (xxvii. 3-6).
Peter, in an hour of sudden and unexpected
danger, when paralyzed by fear. vehemently
denied his Master; but upon immediate re-
pentance he was forgiven, and became one
of the most fearless and active of the apos-
ties. That he and John feared men less than
GoD when engaged in their apostolic labors
is evident from their answer to the Jewish
rulers who charged and threatened them not
to teach or speak in the name of JESUS (Acts
iv. 1917.
We may properly confess CHRIST and re-
ceive Divine recognition in the heavenly
kingdom of love, JOY and peace, by making
a consistent profession of our Christian faith,
and by faithfully performing all the duties
which it enforces. A consistent profession
of Christian faith demands fidelity to relig-
ious convictions and fearless adherence to
heartily accepted principles of truth and
duty. CHRIST may be denied by those who,
for fear of popular disfavor or personal loss
or disadvantage, refuse or neglect to give
public and pronounced adherence to the form
of Christian faith which they secretly hold
and cherish. Such persons may gain what
they seek, bat they will miss the heavenly
blessing.